Why Having a Fully-Staffed Maintenance Team During Winter is So Important
Keeping Tenants Warm and Happy = Reupped Leases Come Spring
It’s undeniable that a well-prepared maintenance team is important at any time of the year or season, but winter is by far the most crucial. We’ll first discuss a few common winter maintenance issues and how, when left unattended, they can cost you big-time bucks in the long run.
HVAC Systems
It’s a good idea to have your heating systems looked at earlier on in the season; preventative maintenance is the way to go here. However, making sure that you have certified guys on your team that can diagnose any issues as they arise will save you the time and headache of needing on-call fixes (No “My heater doesn’t work!” emergency calls at 3 AM!)
Ice Damming
We know that any fixes related to roofing are never cheap. This is why we recommend having your maintenance team check your properties thoroughly for any air leakage paths in roofs, to avoid any leaking from ice damming. Excess ice and snow build-up can cause shingles to break, water damage, and other costly issues. Preventative maintenance is key!
Debris Damage
How many trees does your property have? How close are they to windows and cars? Ice and snow are heavy; don’t let breaking branches cost you thousands in repairs! Have your maintenance guys trim before the heavy winter hits.
Frozen Pipes
It’s crucial to have any cracks fixed ASAP (optimally before winter season begins) to prevent any bursts. There’s multiple preventative maintenance options to avoid this when the temps start to drop below freezing. This can also prevent any unnecessary water damage from leaky pipes.
So, preventative maintenance aside, how else can your maintenance team impact your winter season?
Finishing Incomplete Turns: Don’t get stuck with vacant floorplans all winter long! Make sure your techs are taking care of all make ready services ASAP so that you can schedule seamless and quick move-ins, especially during slow season.
Grounds: With Ohio’s indecisive weather, three inches of snow on your property grounds can easily be a monsoon of mud and slush by the next day. Keeping your team staffed is crucial to maintain excellent curb appeal and attract potential renters all season long! Keep parking lots and sideways clear of precipitation build-up so that your tenants can navigate your property with ease.
Service Requests: There’s no one unhappier than a tenant who has no water, a broken heater, or a drafty apartment in the middle of winter. Being short-staffed can substantially extend repair wait times and add unnecessary stress to your workday. When comparing the costs of permanent weather damage to your property and frustrated tenants declining to re-up their leases come springtime to the costs of a new maintenance hire, the choice is clear to us. However, if you’re stressed about this quarter’s budget, utilizing a temp agency like us can actually help lower your hiring costs and save you time (more on that in our previous blog, here)
Additionally, winterizing your community is dependent on tenants following clear instructions. Check out this article where Rentec Direct offers some more helpful tips for apartment communities in the snow season!
